blackrock made a move on panama ports. they’re moving on mining/drilling next [DD]
I’m sure some of you heard the headlines around Panama yesterday. Blackrock announced that they led a group of private investors to purchase[ two of the surrounding ports near the canal](https://www.wsj.com/business/logistics/blackrock-strikes-23-billion-deal-for-ports-on-both-sides-of-panama-canal-d42a5b5e). The president praised the action during his televised address and you can rest assured that no part of this was a surprise to either him or the institutional investors involved in the matter.
You see, Blackrock has been aiming within the past year to become a major player in infrastructure and energy transition markets, and [recent major acquisitions in the last few months ](https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-1-d&q=blackrock+gip+acquisition)have paved the way to accomplishing that end. I’ve been following them closely ever since I noticed their involvement in the mining, metals, and rare earth sector in Ukraine. I had written a separate \[DD\] explaining why I believe that sector was about to have a massive run [here.](https://www.reddit.com/r/wallstreetbets/comments/1iuykwm/the_sector_youve_never_touched_is_a_10bagger_but/)
Presently, I want to bring your attention to the positioning and posturing made by Blackrock, as well as Trump-affiliated mining, metals, and drilling executives, ever since the November election. I believe that we will see similar involvement by that firm in the reconstruction of Ukraine, as well as in supporting mining and processing of rare minerals and metals both in that region and in the USA domestically.
**I. As you sleep, Blackrock buys, then buys, and buys some more**
In previous discussions, I mentioned a number of companies that I believe are uniquely situated to benefit dramatically from private and governmental support in the western rare earth supply chain, especially at mid-stream, including MP materials which is [presently the only american company that is operational in their mining, extracting, and processing of rare earth,](https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3700059/dod-looks-to-establish-mine-to-magnet-supply-chain-for-rare-earth-materials/) especially when it comes to the heavy minerals deemed most essential to our national security.
Would you like to know something curious? [Blackrock acquired a 10% stake of MP](https://fintel.io/so/us/mp) with haste after Trump’s election. A few days following the election, Gina Rinehart, a mining magnate, Australia’s richest women, and close friend to the president, also acquired an [8.5% stake of MP](https://fintel.io/i/hancock-prospecting-pty-ltd) through a new investment group she has brought together in Q4 2024. This is interesting news especially given that Rinehart had previously been in discussion with MP materials over a potential merger that would see MP materials and Lynas Rare Earth [(a company that Rinehart has significant ownership in as well](https://www.mining.com/web/australian-billionaire-gina-rinehart-buys-stake-in-rare-earths-producer-lynas/) and which is the largest producer of rare earth outside China) combine forces to create a unified company capable of posing a serious threat to [Chinese stranglehold over the chain](https://www.google.com/search?q=mp+and+lynas+rinehart&client=firefox-b-1-d&sca_esv=b3124e538ea91f17&sxsrf=AHTn8zp30_wTmF7gaP7WD3QbzwF6FDOmDw%3A1741175001245&ei=2TjIZ93gDqeJptQPx7TfoAQ&ved=0ahUKEwidscOr7vKLAxWnhIkEHUfaF0QQ4dUDCBA&uact=5&oq=mp+and+lynas+rinehart&gs_lp=Egxnd3Mtd2l6LXNlcnAiFW1wIGFuZCBseW5hcyByaW5laGFydDIFECEYoAFI-gdQigFYlAdwAXgAkAEBmAGqAaABnAeqAQM2LjO4AQPIAQD4AQGYAgegAsYFwgIFECEYqwKYAwCIBgGSBwMzLjSgB5kY&sclient=gws-wiz-serp). The idea, as far as I know, was that Lynas would wind down operations in Australia and begin significant investments scaling with MP in the United states. This aligns with present administration efforts to support the domestic chain. In fact, Lynas has a contract with the federal government to build a processing plant in the US anyways.
I have to say that convergence between institutions like Blackrock and private equity in recent months in this sector do not stop at MP or Lynas. Here is a list of some companies that I have been interested in within the mining, metals and rare earth minerals sector, as well as the corresponding ownership stake taken by Blackrock and other investors in recent months:
>**MP Materials**: 9.50% Blackrock, 8.5% Rinehart (15% of Rinehart’s portfolio)
**UUUU:** 8% Blackrock; Rinehart also invested
**LAC**: 5% Blackrock; Rinehart also invested
**TECK**: 6.6% Blackrock, 2% Rinehart (20% of Rineharts portfolio)
**TTEK -** 9.7% Blackrock, tripled stake in company in February, 2025. Ken Griffin
**HES -** 8.5% Blackrock; Citadel CEO Ken Griffin also increased his share by … 26,099,166% 😂
**TSLA** \- 5% Blackrock, Q4 they added more shares of TSLA than any other stock; RH
Blackrock has also quietly been making significant acquisitions of shares of [Endeavour Mining](https://www.globenewswire.com/news-release/2025/03/03/3035908/0/en/Endeavour-Announces-Holding-s-in-Company.html) as recently as in March 2025 and I have also found institutional support for a number of related sectors, such as VAL for offshore drilling infrastructure.
Rinehart had also invested 7% into an Argentinian Lithium company in Q4, 2025. She appears close with the president of Argentina, actually. They took a selfie together at the inauguration party in DC.
[Rinehart with Argentina's President, Javier Milei](https://preview.redd.it/6dvpy9obcvme1.jpg?width=1092&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=ccc8573d3792788b629ff2bb29300f702c0497e7)
I wonder if there are any looming partnerships in the works? I bet so.
**II. Rampant Speculation**
The president has promised dramatic action in mining and resource production in the USA in the coming week. He mentioned it on his address to the senate last night. I doubt it was news to the institutionally powerful, though, in the same way that I doubt it is a coincidence that short put interest on MP has been \~12,000 w/ expiry mid-march, [only to then dramatically fall off the cliff for expiry mid-april.](https://fintel.io/sopt/us/mp)
I wonder what will happen? Here is some rampant speculation: MP’s CEO has reduced his share to a feeble 9.5% stake in the company whilst Blackrock and Rinehart have increased there’s to match. **I would not be surprised if we see Blackrock, Rinehart/Lynas, and MP working together to dramatically scale USA rare earth production.** This would also fit with language in executive order on minerals and mining, leaning on Quadrilateral Security Partners.
I also found the positioning with LAC particularly interesting given that they are awaiting approval for the largest [north american lithium mine](https://www.stocktitan.net/news/LAC/lithium-americas-increases-mineral-resource-and-reserve-for-thacker-dvrd2ok6wzyj.html). They are also partnered with GM. I wonder how direct private equity investment and further deregulation and government expediting of the usual processes may impact this company, and with what timeline? I think we see movement sooner rather than later, but I’m just some guy.
Anyways, here are my positions:
https://preview.redd.it/4vpwqzk7hvme1.jpg?width=680&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=2bb35db6ec5e0c255cca0ac219858847211e757e
https://preview.redd.it/e3vz24l7hvme1.jpg?width=665&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=60b9eaeb704d976aa7d66f90a00ba83465c16ea6
https://preview.redd.it/3juo44g9hvme1.jpg?width=716&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=94f7cc2a752471139a7985c9c016c73844aab70a
https://preview.redd.it/nate05g9hvme1.jpg?width=630&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=119ab3dd4884f620dde10447b09fdbb859b18147
https://preview.redd.it/9bg6h4g9hvme1.jpg?width=687&format=pjpg&auto=webp&s=51896d84eb328de6a5681043b24ca9a8a4f2cf20
Tl;dr: Firms like blackrock have positioned themselves to take considerable control over the American rare earth and metals supply chain. Top tickers atthe moment based on this \[DD\] include: MP, UUUU, American Lithium, TECK.
Enjoy the opening bell today, everyone!
